Murtagh exonerated by inquiry

Johnny Murtagh has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an inquiry into an alleged post-race incident following last year’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The inquiry was instigated as a result of the British Horseracing Authority being made aware of a video posted on YouTube which suggested an unidentified item had been passed between Johnny Murtagh, rider of the winner Sole Power, and Sarah Lynam, the daughter of trainer Eddie Lynam.

The BHA inquiry established that after unsaddling Sole Power in the winner’s enclosure, Sarah Lynam placed Sole Power’s girth, which had been removed from the horse’s tack during unsaddling, over Murtagh’s saddle.

It was also established that at no time did Johnny Murtagh pass any item to Sarah Lynam.

The BHA also reviewed the official stewards patrol footage of the race, together with all footage recorded by Channel 4 in its terrestrial coverage and high-quality footage of the incident provided by At The Races.

“With these findings establishing that nothing untoward took place following the running of the 2013 Kings Stand Stakes, and that there had not been any breach of the rules, the matter is now closed,” Jamie Stier, BHA director of raceday operations and regulation, said.